Newcastle Transfer News: West Brom Want £20m For NUFC Target Saido Berahino

Newcastle United have been told they must stump up £20 million if they hope to prise England Under-21 international Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion this summer. The club's chairman, Jeremy Peace, has made it clear he will only sanction a sale once new owners or brought in - or once his huge price tag has been met, according to The Mirror. Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton are also monitoring the 21-year-old forward's situation at The Hawthorns.

The hefty fee the Baggies are demanding could force the Magpies to look at alternative targets, particularly if all the interested parties begin a bidding war for Berahino. However, if the Magpies did firm up their interest in the forward - who netted 20 goals in 45 games last season - then it would prove owner Mike Ashley€™s recent promise that he intends to invest significantly this summer was not just hot air. Tony Pulis is keen to hold on to the forward and has offered him a contract worth in excess of £50,000 a week in order to convince him to stay, but Berahino is yet to decide where he believes his future lies. With 10 goals in 13 England U21 internationals - and having been called into Roy Hodgson€™s senior squad without yet making his debut - Berahino is one of the hottest prospects in English football right now.

The pacey forward is an exquisite finisher and his abilities on the pitch are undoubted but he has suffered from off-field problems. Berahino was suspended from driving for 12 months and given a £3,400 fine in January after admitting to a charge of drunk-driving last October. Having come up through the youth ranks at West Brom, Berahino enjoyed loan spells at Northampton Town, Brentford and Peterborough United before breaking into the Baggies first team. He has a career record of 41 goals from 114 appearances to date. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.